Breast augmentation is known by many names; mammoplasty, breast enlargement, breast enhancement, and of course, boob job. A saline or silicone-filled prosthesis is used and inserted into the breast to provide additional fullness.

Breast Augmentation Facts

Consistently one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures

Saline vs Silicone is a hot debate, but a personal choice

Many choices are available, research them here and discuss with your doctor

The ideal candidate for breast augmentation typically has complaints of breasts that are too small or uneven, out of proportion to the rest of her body, or appear to be sagging or deflated. She may also have a desire for clothing to fit better or to feel sexier and have a better body image.

Recent advancements in technology have provided different shapes (anatomic, teardrop, or round) and textures (smooth or fuzzy). These allow the doctor to customize your surgery and satisfy individual tastes in appearance. Saline implants are used almost exclusively and have been for at least the past twenty years. Saline is not new or experimental in any way and has more than stood the test of time. New implant fillers such as soybean are still experimental, and have not been approved by the FDA.

The first important decision is whether saline or silicone implants should be used. There are advantages and disadvantages to both that you should consider before making the choice between saline and silicone.

Silicone implants tend to have a softer, more natural feel. They also tend to be smoother, and it is less likely that rippling or scalloping will occur.

However, silicone implants also have some downsides. The implants are pre-filled, which means that you must be confident what size implants you want before surgery. Because they are pre-filled, a larger incision is required to insert the implant so the scarring may be more significant. The implants also tend to interfere with mammograms; an MRI is required every two years, and this test is typically not covered by insurance. Finally, there is a history of silicone implants leaking into the body and causing medical complications. Silicone implants are approved by the FDA.

Saline implants, on the other hand, can be inserted through a smaller surgical incision as they are not pre-filled. Once inserted, the implants are injected with the saline solution. The smaller incision results in less noticeable scarring. Saline implants also carry less of a risk of capsular contractions, and any saline leaks can be absorbed into the body without causing harm. Finally, saline solutions do not cause as much interference with routine mammograms.

The downsides to saline implants include a less natural, harder feeling breast, and an increased potential for rippling or scalloping. Rippling and scalloping refer to a wavy appearance of the skin of the breast. This potential side effect is more likely in women who have a smaller amount of breast tissue to support the saline implant.

The shape of the implant is also important. Most implants are either tear shaped, which seems to more closely mimic a natural breast, or round. According to Dr. Walter Tom, a Napa, California cosmetic surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation, while tear shaped implants seem to be best for patients desiring a natural look, they can rotate out of position and require surgical revision. This is the primary reason why many plastic surgeons use traditional round implants.

Implant size makes a difference as well. Often times, larger implants have a less natural shape at the top. Larger implants are also more likely to ripple, and the risk of capsular contraction is increased.

Implant location is a key consideration. Implants can be placed either over or under the muscle and the different results can greatly affect the augmentation's outcome.

Under-the-muscle placement is most commonly recommended, but the trend is shifting towards over the muscle placement because it results in a more natural, sloping breast as opposed to a rounded breast.
Breast implants placed over the muscle can result in a greater appearance of cleavage, and there is less trauma so the patient recovers more quickly. However, placing the implants over the muscle increases the risk of capsular contraction, and makes mammograms more difficult to interpret. Finally, women who have a smaller amount of breast tissue may be unable to have the implant inserted over the muscle because they will not have enough breast tissue to cover and support the implant.

Incision location and scar visibility can change the end result. Even if an implant looks natural, noticeable scarring can be aesthetically unpleasant and destroy the illusion of a natural bust line. The location of the incision is thus a critical factor, because this determines where the scarring will occur.

Breast implants can be inserted through an incision in the armpit, in the belly button, around the edge of the nipple (called a periareolar incision) or in the intermammary crease under the breast. There are benefits and detriments to each incision location.

The intermammary incision under the breast is very direct, and allows the surgeon visualization when inserting the implant. An incision in the belly button is the easiest to hide, but only a saline implant can be used. An incision under the armpit is easy to hide, but it is more difficult for the doctor to create a pocket for the implant due to the lack of direct access. The periareolar incision is very popular as it also allows the doctor easy visualization of the results. The main drawback here is the possibility of difficulty breastfeeding in the future.

Each of these decisions can have a dramatic impact on your satisfaction with your breast augmentation procedure. The decisions should be carefully discussed with your plastic surgeon so you can achieve the desired results.

The breast augmentation procedure usually takes about two hours and is done under general anesthesia. The patient will need to take 5-7 days away from work or strenuous obligations. Implants have a warranty and different implants carry different warranties. You may need to have the implants changed out after 10-20 years.

Capsular contracture is the most common complication of breast augmentation. This occurs when the naturally formed fibrous tissue around the implant hardens and compresses the implant. The implant itself does not harden, the tissue in the body is simply squeezing it. It causes the implant to look unnatural and feel hard, often compared to a ball. While the condition may be painful, it is not life threatening and there are various treatments available if this should occur.
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“The reason I stopped having patients do massage after breast augmentation was my theory on bleeding being a trigger for hardening” Dr Jerome Edelstein head plastic surgeon at Edelstein Cosmetic states ... ...more

Timeline for Breast Augmentation Healing Process - Mar 05, 2014

Many women would prefer to be in shape and healed from breast augmentation in time for summer so they can enjoy all of the outdoor activities offered ... ...more

Dr Denis Gonyon founder of Gonyon Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery located north of Boulder is proud to announce his plastic surgery center will now offer Sientra silicone implants to his breast augmentation patients ... ...more

They were designed to provide a more natural feel for breast augmentation recipients and retain their “teardrop” shape of having more mass on the bottom of the implant mimicking the effect of gravity of natural breast tissue ... ...more

Tarrant Plastic Surgery with locations in Fort Worth Keller and Southlake announced that they will begin to use new implantable silk scaffold to correct implant malposition after breast augmentation surgery ... ...more

Disclaimer: For general educational purposes only.
Information contained in this Web site is general in nature, and should not be relied on for medical treatment. If you need advice or services, please contact the doctor directly.
All photos are of models for decorative purposes unless they specifically mention they are actual before & after photographs.